THE chief executive of a charity that provides both housing and care to elderly people in the north has received the prestigious Royal Patron's Award 2018.
Geraldine Gilpin, chief executive of Abbeyfield and Wesley Housing Association recently was presented with the accolade, which is endorsed by Prince Charles, at a ceremony in London.
Ms Gilpin has been working for Abbeyfield since 1996 and the organisation now supports hundreds of residents through 18 houses, homes and sheltered schemes.
She described it as a "real honour" to receive the award.
"I love my job and I believe Abbeyfield & Wesley plays an important role in local society by providing a range of high-quality accommodation and services to older people throughout Northern Ireland, from purpose-built apartments right through to bungalows and flats offering independent living for active elderly and supported sheltered houses for those requiring additional support while maintaining independence and residential care."
Abbeyfield & Wesley Housing Association manages 18 supported, sheltered houses in Ballycastle, Ballyclare, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Donaghadee, Downpatrick, Greenisland, Holywood, Lurgan, Newtownabbey and Portstewart. In addition, the charity also runs a residential dementia care home in east Belfast and three sheltered schemes in Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey and Belfast.
